GATESHEAD’S Conference Premier game at Kettering on Saturday was frozen off – and the chances of tomorrow’s home game against Barrow going ahead are remote.

There was, however, a silver lining for manager Ian Bogie as the Tynesiders’ injured quartet were given more time to recover.

Goalkeeper Tim Deasy, James Curtis, Paul Heckingbottom and James Marwood are all expected to return to training at some time this week.

Bogie said: “I will have the rare luxury of having a full squad to select from for the first time this season, which will increase the competition for places.

“Curtis’s foot is still sore because his tendon has been crushed, but we’re delighted it’s not another broken metatarsal.

“He should be involved this week and could be in the frame for Saturday’s game at Eastbourne, and Deasy is recovering well from his thigh injury.

“Heckingbottom has been out for some time with knee and back problems but isn’t far away and Marwood’s ankle is much improved.

“It was disappointing that Saturday’s game at Kettering was off and a concern that we will almost certainly have to postpone the game against Barrow.

“The surface at the International Stadium is under several inches of snow and when it eventually melts it will doubtless flood the pitch. The last thing we wanted was two postponements in November, but there is nothing we can do about it and we must now prepare for a long trip to the south coast.”

Bogie, meanwhile, has urged his side to hit the goals trail after the opening 21 Conference games produced a meagre return of 21 goals.

“We have relied too heavily on Jon Shaw so far,” he said. “Gary Mulligan has chipped in with a goal in each of the last two games.

“He is not renowned as a goalscorer but that was in League One and Two at Gillingham and Northampton Town.

“He’s playing at a lower level and needs to find the net on a consistent basis, but we also need more goals from other areas of the pitch.”

Gateshead are waiting to hear whether new midfielder Ashley Winn is available to face Southport in the FA Trophy on Saturday week. Winn is on loan from Southport, but a £2,500 fee has been agreed between the two clubs to make the deal permanent in January.